The service aims to help a range of vulnerable people in Powys

Care and Repair in Powys aims to assist older people, those living alone, on a low income or have a long-term illness to stay at home in comfort and security.

Its 'Handyperson service' for the whole county will involve clients paying for materials but the agency meeting the cost of the labour.

The new agency, with 16 staff covering the whole of Powys, will be the biggest of its kind in Wales.

For older people, the inability to deal with relatively small matters of repair or maintenance can put them at risk and increase anxiety about their ability to cope. Sally Davison, Care and Repair

It is the result of a merger between Care and Repair bodies in Montgomeryshire and south Powys.

Based at Llandrindod Wells, the staff team will provide support and advice as well as practical assistance in obtaining funds for home repairs, adaptation or improvement.

It aims to deal with 2,000 cases during the next year, with three technical officers visiting people at their homes to discuss and solve their housing and welfare problems.

Independent lifestyle

The 'Handyperson Service', enabling small repairs and home maintenance tasks to be carried out, already exists in Montgomeryshire and is planned to be extended to the rest of the county later this year.

Sally Davison is the director of Care and Repair in Powys.

Mid Wales Housing provides homes for people in need

"The ability to maintain an independent life style generally rests on a combination of practicalities and confidence," she said.

"For older people, the inability to deal with relatively small matters of repair or maintenance can put them at risk and increase anxiety about their ability to cope."

She added that it was difficult to get builders to do many of the small repairs needed by the agency's clients.

"Even changing a light bulb proves difficult for some people so our handyperson can carry out small jobs like this," said Mrs Davison.

The new agency is part of the Mid Wales Housing Association's group of companies.

The company provides housing for people in need and currently manages more than 1,100 homes in mid-Wales.

Its chief executive, Rosemary Salter said the new agency would build on the successes and experience of Radnor Care and Repair, which itself merged with the neighbouring Brecknock agency last year.